University of Virginia Library

SCHOOL OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.

Professor Smith.

This School offers four courses, each extending through the session of nine
months, and including lectures, text-book study, and laboratory work, as
follows:

General Physics.—The object of this course of lectures (which embraces
the work for the B. A. degree) is to furnish the student with an introduction
to Modern Physics. With the design of laying a scientific basis for
the course, a large space is given at the outset to the discussion of the
cardinal doctrines of motion, force, energy, and potential; and to their
simpler applications in the pressure and motion of sensible masses. This
discussion, while it is elementary, is designed to be in harmony with the
more thorough mathematical treatment of the same topics and to be a helpful
introduction to it.

With this preparation, the student proceeds to the subject of Molecular
Physics, prominence being given to those divisions, like Heat and Electricity,
in which the transformations of energy are most easily followed and measured.
Indeed, throughout the course the laws of energy are kept steadily in
view, and an attempt is made to exhibit the evidence, daily becoming stronger
and clearer, for the belief prevalent among scientists that the entire body of
Physics is a coherent and harmonious system of mechanical truth. This
course includes a series of exercises in the Physical Laboratory, selected
with a view of training the student in the measurement of phenomena.

Text-Books.—The Professor's Syllabus; Everett's Units and Physical Constants.

Sound and Light.—This course (which embraces the work for the M. A.
degree) treats of the theory of undulation and the transfer of Energy by
waves. It includes careful work in the Physical Laboratory.

Text-Books.—Preston's Theory of Light; Everett's Vibratory Motion and Sound;
Glazebrook's Practical Physics.

Electricity and Magnetism.—This class studies Electricity and Magnetism,
with special reference to Electrical Engineering, to which the course
is designed to be an introduction. Besides the mathematical theory, it embraces
Laboratory practice in electrical and magnetic measurements. To
enter this class, the student should be familiar with the elementary facts of
the science, and also with the simpler processes of differentiation and integration.

Text-Books.—Emtage; Ewing; Jackson.

Advanced Physics.—This course includes the study of original memoirs
in special departments of Physics, and of the history of Experimental
Science, together with laboratory work showing independent research. The
report of this work may be the dissertation offered for the attainment of the
Ph. D. degree.

The Physical Laboratory had at its disposal before the recent fire five
connected apartments, all on the same floor. One of these was also used as
a lecture-room; another one was permanently darkened, and in two others

the light could be excluded at pleasure. A fourth room was so supported on
massive piers as to be practically free from sensible tremors. The needful
appliances, in the way of fixtures and apparatus, had been so far supplied as
to furnish a sufficient range of practice for undergraduates, and some facilities
for the advanced student in Practical Physics.[1]